This is something I did after Man of Steel came out.
The Biology of Superman
Based on books and movies on the character know as Superman, I have come up with a theory of how his and those of his race, the Kryptonians came to possess the powers and abilities we are familiar with. The Kryptonians are said to have been a highly advanced civilization, far advanced of humanity. I believe this is a clue to Kryptonian physiology. The planet Krypton orbits a red giant star nearing its death. I believe that Kryptonians had reached the limit of their evolution and were on the verge of evolving into space-based organisms. The final trigger to their new state of being was not available in sufficient amounts to allow evolutionary transition. The trigger is neutrinos, the sub-atomic particles emitted by the fusion reactions in the core of stars. Kryptonians were able to absorb and metabolize neutrinos in the same way humans produce vitamin D from sunlight. It was the Kryptonian scientist Jor-El who first made the discovery, but had also discovered that his planet was about to explode, destroying his people before they could evolve to escape their fate. A young, yellow star produces sufficient strong fusion reactions to produce the levels of neutrinos to trigger the physiological change.
The choice was clear; Jor-El would send his only son to this world not only to test his theory, preserve his family blood line, but also to become a beacon to any off-world Kryptonians that may have survived. I believe it was Jor-El’s intent that Kal-El (Superman) never become a superhero at all, but simply be accepted by the populous long enough that Kal-El could retreat from humanity and perform his duties of searching for surviving Kryptonians from his “solitary” outpost near the north pole. Infants of the evolved Kryptonian species require little immediate protection from open space and begin metabolizing neutrinos immediately to create invulnerability to radiation, near absolute zero temperatures, and the vacuum of space itself. With the invulnerability comes heightened strength, both of which are proportionate to the development of the child. The ability to control the inertia of incoming neutrinos for controlled flight is a tremendous expenditure of energy and as such, in Kryptonians comes only during the change to adulthood. This fact can be seen in Kryptonians who are evolved as adults, who are immediately able to fly. Once evolved, Kryptonians will continue to metabolize neutrinos indefinitely. Like fat cells in the human body, evolved Kryptonians are able to store excess energy for times when there are little or no neutrinos to absorb. Their energy stores are limited and depending on the amount exertion, can be depleted within a short amount of time. Operating at peak output for days or weeks can out-tax a Kryptonians absorption rate. Even though neutrinos are so small, they pass through solid matter, Superman is able to better absorb them outside of the Earth’s atmosphere. This is why he is often observed loitering in orbit after strenuous exertion.
Evolved Kryptonian senses are able to perceive the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Visually, they are capable of selectively perceiving any wavelength they choose. In the case of Superman, he can see the ambient x-rays from the sun allowing him to see through any object except those capable of deflecting x-rays such as lead. With concentration, Superman is able to sense the atmospheric vibrations associated with sound even over great distances or even in space. This ability allows evolved Kryptonians to trace gases associated with stars and nebulas over vast distances. Internally, evolved Kryptonians organs operate at extreme temperatures, but their surface temperatures rarely vary above or below normal human body temperature. Excess heat is emitted in the form of infrared and microwave radiation from microscopic glands that ring the iris of each eye ball. Heat management is also achieve by inhaling ambient gasses, condensing it and using it as a form of refrigerant. If not needed, a Kryptonian can simply exhale the super cooled gas as we have seen with Superman’s cold breath.
Superman, because of his 30+ years head start on any other Kryptonian, will always be more powerful than any newer evolved Kryptonian. It will only be when other Kryptonians bear children under a yellow star and those children mature to adulthood will more generations of Superman-level Kryptonians exist.
The Biology of Superman
Based on books and movies on the character know as Superman, I have come up with a theory of how his and those of his race, the Kryptonians came to possess the powers and abilities we are familiar with. The Kryptonians are said to have been a highly advanced civilization, far advanced of humanity. I believe this is a clue to Kryptonian physiology. The planet Krypton orbits a red giant star nearing its death. I believe that Kryptonians had reached the limit of their evolution and were on the verge of evolving into space-based organisms. The final trigger to their new state of being was not available in sufficient amounts to allow evolutionary transition. The trigger is neutrinos, the sub-atomic particles emitted by the fusion reactions in the core of stars. Kryptonians were able to absorb and metabolize neutrinos in the same way humans produce vitamin D from sunlight. It was the Kryptonian scientist Jor-El who first made the discovery, but had also discovered that his planet was about to explode, destroying his people before they could evolve to escape their fate. A young, yellow star produces sufficient strong fusion reactions to produce the levels of neutrinos to trigger the physiological change.
The choice was clear; Jor-El would send his only son to this world not only to test his theory, preserve his family blood line, but also to become a beacon to any off-world Kryptonians that may have survived. I believe it was Jor-El’s intent that Kal-El (Superman) never become a superhero at all, but simply be accepted by the populous long enough that Kal-El could retreat from humanity and perform his duties of searching for surviving Kryptonians from his “solitary” outpost near the north pole. Infants of the evolved Kryptonian species require little immediate protection from open space and begin metabolizing neutrinos immediately to create invulnerability to radiation, near absolute zero temperatures, and the vacuum of space itself. With the invulnerability comes heightened strength, both of which are proportionate to the development of the child. The ability to control the inertia of incoming neutrinos for controlled flight is a tremendous expenditure of energy and as such, in Kryptonians comes only during the change to adulthood. This fact can be seen in Kryptonians who are evolved as adults, who are immediately able to fly. Once evolved, Kryptonians will continue to metabolize neutrinos indefinitely. Like fat cells in the human body, evolved Kryptonians are able to store excess energy for times when there are little or no neutrinos to absorb. Their energy stores are limited and depending on the amount exertion, can be depleted within a short amount of time. Operating at peak output for days or weeks can out-tax a Kryptonians absorption rate. Even though neutrinos are so small, they pass through solid matter, Superman is able to better absorb them outside of the Earth’s atmosphere. This is why he is often observed loitering in orbit after strenuous exertion.
Evolved Kryptonian senses are able to perceive the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Visually, they are capable of selectively perceiving any wavelength they choose. In the case of Superman, he can see the ambient x-rays from the sun allowing him to see through any object except those capable of deflecting x-rays such as lead. With concentration, Superman is able to sense the atmospheric vibrations associated with sound even over great distances or even in space. This ability allows evolved Kryptonians to trace gases associated with stars and nebulas over vast distances. Internally, evolved Kryptonians organs operate at extreme temperatures, but their surface temperatures rarely vary above or below normal human body temperature. Excess heat is emitted in the form of infrared and microwave radiation from microscopic glands that ring the iris of each eye ball. Heat management is also achieve by inhaling ambient gasses, condensing it and using it as a form of refrigerant. If not needed, a Kryptonian can simply exhale the super cooled gas as we have seen with Superman’s cold breath.
Superman, because of his 30+ years head start on any other Kryptonian, will always be more powerful than any newer evolved Kryptonian. It will only be when other Kryptonians bear children under a yellow star and those children mature to adulthood will more generations of Superman-level Kryptonians exist.
